Common Performance Testing Challenges and How To Overcome Them

Performance Testing

Software testing plays a critical role alongside software development within the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This testing process involves the testing of the software developed to make sure it's as per the wants defined and error-free for end-users. Software testing can be divided into two major parts as Functional testing and Non-functional testing types.

What is Performance Testing?

Performance or load testing is a crucial non-functional sort of testing and involves the method by which software or an application is tested to understand its current system performance.

There are several sorts of performance testing that are commonly accept which include Endurance testing, Load testing, Volume testing, Stress testing, Scalability testing, Spike testing, etc. and these testing procedures determines the speed, and responsiveness of the website, the app or the network when tested under discrete workloads.

Why Is Performance Testing Necessary For Business Websites and Mobile Apps?

Performance testing assess the speed, scalability, reliability, and stability of the software application under distinct loads thus confirming their stable performance. Each business application has to be fixed and deliver compatible results, disregarding the number of users using it at any point of time. Especially with reference to banking apps, eCommerce apps, etc. these apps got to perform seamlessly even with numerous users, else it adversely affects the brand reputation.

Performance Testing Process in Software Testing

• – Analyze the existing environment
• – Collect performance features of the current system
• – Define usage model and load distribution
• – Define the performance acceptance criteria
• – Create the test strength, test plan, test scripts and scenarios
• – Configure the load generation environment
• – Execute planned tests
• – Observe web servers, application servers and database server’s performance check
• – Correlate and analyze the results
• – Generate reports
• – Provide performance improvement recommendations
• – Retest as needed

What Are the Challenges With Performance Testing and How To Solve Them?

1. Selection of wrong performance testing tools

If a wrong tool is selected, then it might lead to waste of testing days for getting the test scripts to work and it is mandatory that the selected performance tool should grant the controls of the application under test.

Solution:

It is necessary for the QA manager and therefore the QA team to properly evaluate the appliance under test (AUT) alongside licencing cost involved, then select the simplest performance testing tool to make sure success of the testing process.

2. Lack of proper test strategy & test coverage

This testing process entails identifying application performance features, planning proper tests to exercise those features, imitate real user interactions, testing of API services and testing whether these services are working or not as a part of the test strategy. Due to the shortage of proper brainstorming while creation of test strategy and test coverage, it becomes difficult to urge effective performance test results.

Solution:

The performance team should extend significant effort on analysing and understanding application architecture and other performance features like load distribution, usage model, geography of usage, availability requirements, strength requirements, reliability requirements, technology stack etc.

3. Lack of knowledge about need for performance tests

Most stakeholders and budget makers don't accept the value of performance testing during software development. In most instances, post production release of software, many performance issues may happen which could end in crashing of the web site, app or software.

Solution:

Clearly,it is compulsory for the stakeholders, product owners or test architect to plan for performance testing as part of end-to-end testing approach. These applications should be performance tested practicing web servers, databases and third party apps to make sure fruitful performance.

4. Improper analysis of performance test outcomes

This is indeed a big challenge faced by many testers as an honest amount of system and application knowledge is important to deeply analyze the performance test results.

Solution:

An experienced performance tester should perform the testing process who is going to be ready to judge the scenarios and will continuously refine the tests and keep adding tests to form them consistently. The performance tester should be conscious of application architecture.

Conclusion

Performance testing may be a non-functional sort of testing that's performed to determine how the system performs under varying load conditions. The speed, scalability, reliability and resource usages of the software or the application is judged with this type of testing. It is essential for business websites especially eCommerce sites and mobile apps to urge performance testing to make sure they proportion when numerous users access simultaneously.

At Oodles ERP, we provide 360-degree ERP software development services to address varied business needs and solve complex business problems. Our experienced QA engineers perform a variety of software testing techniques to detect bugs and software glitches for quick resolution. For more information, contact us at [email protected].